Friday, 31 December 2010

Home. Our house sits as though in pause, holding its breath and waiting for us to bring it to life again. The Christmas tree looks sad and the thought of undressing it and pulling it out the house will feel like taking a beloved lamb to the slaughter. Like an aged lady with a crooked spine that was once a glamorous young woman who turned heads with her dress and her glow, our tree has seen its glory.

I think next year we will have to buy a tree in a pot, perhaps even a giant olive tree to decorate. I did really love the ideas featured on OlliElla's Blog:

The sun sets on the last day of the year and I’ve spent most of the day reflecting on the last 365 days.

Sessi started school and has become quite a ‘big’ little girl.

Oona has learned to walk, talk and dance. I adventured with the girls and their granny in Marrakech, (reliving, in part, a piece of my own childhood)

We’ve moved house. Twice. That’s a lot of packing!

Then Bekka and I started our adventure of Sisters Guild Ltd, which has been quite a journey, and of course all the everyday events and duties of motherhood!

Excited about the next year and all its promise of new adventure, I have thought of news years resolutions but decided that most of my planned intentions would inevitably last less than a week; a diet that doesn’t include copious amounts of cake, to try to be asleep before midnight (at least a few a week),

to start a gym and perhaps by summer have the body I had at 26!

However, rather than setting myself up for failure I shall just suggest to myself to resolve to the fact that; I will always try to do more than a day allows, that I cannot in actual fact live without cake, and the body I had at 26 was in all honesty owned by a less confident woman.

No doubt tomorrow I will end up with a list of ideas, things I’d like to do or change, perhaps I can convince Sessi to give up picking her nose! Then again, it is a traditional childhood pastime and I wouldn’t want to deny her that pleasure!

Nevertheless, I will be celebrating the success of the past year, putting the less great memories down to experience and hope that the next brings all that I imagine.

The morning will be full of excitement and promise. I shall start as I mean to go on; full of optimism.

.....................and who knows perhaps by February I’ll be trying out some carpentry tools, have given up cake and be in bed by 10, but that doesn’t sound quite like me!

Christmas to me means family, the gathering of the clan. AND time off work.

It’s a well needed holiday period with time for adults to recharge and refuel the mind and soul with books, games, chatter, lounging, plenty of home-cooked food and not forgetting some quality BBC Drama and a box of chocolates of course. It's also time for the kids to feel free.

Christmas Eve (eating the cake and carrot intended for Father Christmas and Rudolph)

The memories of this Christmas that will stay with me are the sisters and cousins being together. That’s where the magic lies. History repeats itself with the cousins' song and dance perfomances, the Christmas Eve late night excitement (both grown-ups and kids), and listening out for Father Chrsitmas on the roof (S: "I can hear him, I can").

Of course Christmas Day morning was all about the presents, discovering stockings and that Father Christmas really had been. The believing is just so wonderful to behold. Gabriel was wowed by every single thing he pulled from his stocking, even the tangerine. Favourite pressies included a Woolly Mammoth and some Knights to play in his wooden castle that had been made by Daddy for his birthday which is on the 23rd December- how tricky and lovely at the same time is that!

Our Mama’s current house is not actually the home of our childhood but it has the same atmosphere and is full of a collection of objects that hold such visual memories - simple things like the mirror, the print, the teapot, the bread knife. Part of the joy of returning home for Christmas is the comfort of the familiar.

A trip home is not complete without a jaunt to Bradford-on-Avon, the prettiest little town near Bath.

Barton Farm, Bradford-on-Avon

I found it amusing to be in a place like Barton Farm, now as a sensible grown-up and mother when it doesn’t seem that long ago that I was hanging out there doing teenager things!

Next trip back home I intend to be even more grown up and have a child-free weekend escape and try out the Thermae Bath Spa as part of my New Year plan.

For now I feel rejuvenated enough from the slow and simple days spent en familia.

We are feeling ever so Christmasey now, with the Christmas tree up, logs delivered, presents hidden, family and feasting plans made, nativity plays to see, and the all essential Christmas songs on the stereo. It really is the time of year to embrace all the colour and magic and allow yourself to feel a little bit giddy and sentimental.

There's plenty to swoon over in the Sisters Guild boutique, and to save you dashing around in the cold we have 20% off gifts, today and tomorrow. We hope you can all get your lists ticked early and enjoy all the festive charm, with a few squeals of excitement before Christmas Day!

Friday, 10 December 2010

On the Tenth Day of Christmas a merry horse came galloping along and we knew we were in for a fun ride. This Maileg horse is part of the Imagine & Play collection
which features gifts, toys and play things to spark the imagination.

Thursday, 9 December 2010

On the Ninth Day of Christmas it was getting rather chilly so we unwrapped this lovelysoft muslin sleeping bag by Aden + Anais
With a cosy winter weight of 4 layers of muslin it's the ideal sleep sack for bedtime,
and will keep your little one warm and sleeping through the night.
With some beautiful designs available for boys and girls.

Saturday, 4 December 2010

For the Fourth Day of Christmas we would like to introduce you to the hop hop hop creations of Parisian jewellery maker Clementine du Pontavice.

Handmade in Paris this jewellery is so pretty and wearable, mums and daughters alike will find a favourite piece to wear, including this mini oiseau necklace.
There are birds, clouds, bracelets, pendants and lockets in the most charming colours.

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Let us introduce you to Nanuq the Eskimo, £15.00, an ideal starter sewing project. To be made by sewing machine or by hand, this is a fantastic Clothkits Kit that contains everything that you need to make him up - and his fish friend too! Printed cotton with simple lines ready to cut out, including instructions, thread and the all important stuffing.

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

A delightful Chrsitmas gift for any little girl. A beautifully crafted 'Princess and the Pea' set by Danish designers Maileg. Inspired by the classic fairytale this tall cream wooden bed is piled high with an eiderdown and seven mattresses. Alas, the poor princess cannot sleep, as beneath the mountain of soft fabric lies a little crocheted pea! A wonderful toy with a little story book to accompany it.